More than 100 members of Katsina State’s Community Watch Corps, a local security force battling banditry in northwest Nigeria, have died in active service since the current administration took office in 2023, authorities announced Monday. Dr. Nasir Muazu, the state’s commissioner for internal security, revealed the toll in a public statement, underscoring the escalating human cost of the conflict. At least 30 police officers and an unspecified number of soldiers have also been killed during operations targeting armed groups in the region, he said.
Muazu urged citizens to honor the sacrifices of security personnel, condemning social media users for spreading what he called “mockery” of their efforts. “These heroes deserve our respect,” he said, adding that the state provides support to families of the deceased through its Office of the Special Adviser on Banditry and Internal Security. While emphasizing the government’s commitment to funding and equipping security forces, he stressed that public cooperation remains critical. “Success in this fight depends on collective support—not just from the government, but from all citizens.”
The commissioner acknowledged persistent challenges in remote areas, where bandit attacks often occur in forested zones that complicate military responses. The Community Watch Corps, established to navigate these terrains, operates alongside national armed forces, police, and local vigilante groups. Despite improvements in security since Governor Dikko Radda’s administration began—reducing banditry-affected local government areas from 24 to three—attacks persist in Faskari, Kankara, and Matazu districts. Muazu attributed progress to strategies like intelligence-sharing and interagency collaboration but warned against misinformation on social media, which he said aims to “incite fear and undermine public confidence.”
Residents were urged to report suspicious activities and avoid sharing unverified claims, with officials emphasizing the conflict’s complexity. Religious and community leaders were called on to rally support for security efforts, reflecting the state’s dual focus on military action and grassroots solidarity. The statement comes amid rising regional insecurity, where bandit groups—often linked to kidnapping, extortion, and rural violence—continue to destabilize communities across Nigeria’s northwest.
